Don't Throw Out That Last Dollop Of Sour Cream - Do This Instead

Never get rid of condiments, prematurely — yes, that includes the nearly-empty tub of sour cream resting idle in your fridge. Although there may not be enough of the ingredient to work into a chicken paprikash or casserole, a dollop of sour cream can still be put to use as a garnish as long as it hasn't gone bad. However, rather than top a bowl of chili or a sizzling fajitas, we suggest using the tangy cream as a topping for sweet treats, instead.

Strange as it may sound, sour cream makes an excellent garnish for desserts. Thanks to its milky profile and velvety texture, the ingredient effortlessly complements the decadence of sugar-laden goodies. However, it also imparts a tart twist that increases the depth and brightens the flavor. What's more, this tanginess can even offset cloying sweetness, resulting in a more balanced bite. If that weren't enough, sour cream can also add a cool creaminess to freshly baked (read: warm) goodies — not to mention that a spoonful even boosts visual appeal.

To use sour cream as a garnish, simply scrape the sides of the container with a spoon before dolloping the ingredient over a dessert. For added aesthetics, the sour cream can also be placed into a squeeze bottle or piping bag, which can help create beaded or patterned designs. Alternatively, the cream can even be swirled into certain goodies, such as a chilled fruit soup or pudding.

While sour cream can be used as is, there are also ways to make the topping more palatable; all you need is to consider what goes well with whipped cream for ideas to incorporate an awesome add-in or two. For example, stirring in a touch of maple syrup or confectioner's sugar can tame tartness, whereas mixing in jam or cocoa powder will add color and complexity. To improve texture, sour cream also can be whisked with airy whipped cream. Otherwise, work the ingredient into existing toppings like frosting, ganache, or caramel sauce.

There is no shortage of goodies that make suitable candidates for a sour cream garnish. Based on its slightly savory quality, the topping can be a match for treats with earthy undertones like carrot cake or dark chocolate bread pudding. Its tanginess also allows it to pair well with tart offerings such as lemon squares, key lime pie, or a raspberry fool. Sour cream also works stunningly to contrast sugary sweet desserts like pecan pie, syrupy roasted fruit, or a banana split. However, anything from ripe berry cobblers to layered and loaded trifles to stacks of buttery pancakes and even decadent milkshakes will benefit greatly from the tart-tasting topping.

Since the garnish is sure to wow in more ways than one, we urge you (once again) not to discard containers of sour cream before scraping them totally clean. Trust us, that last spoonful of sour cream is worth saving!